Here at Film & Whiskey, we’re diving into a whiskey that comes with a unique backstory—Wild Turkey Longbranch. This 86-proof Kentucky straight bourbon whiskey is refined with mesquite charcoal to bring a smoky Texas flair, reflecting its co-creator, Matthew McConaughey. Designed as a smooth, approachable whiskey, Longbranch promises a blend of traditional Wild Turkey craftsmanship with a touch of Hollywood panache. But does it live up to the hype? Let’s break it down. Here is our Wild Turkey Longbranch review.
This review is taken from our episode "No Country for Old Men / Wild Turkey Longbranch." Click the link to listen to this review in audio format.
The Nose
Brad: As I pick up the nose on this bad boy, I think that it's very bright. I wouldn't say it's florally, but it has some nice, sweet undertones to it that I almost feel like it's a smooth toffee with a little bit of nuttiness.
Bob: I kind of get where you're coming from, Brad, but for me, this just smells like a low-proof whiskey. It has the brightness because I don't think it's high-proof enough to carry the darker tones we normally get, like caramel, vanilla, or brown sugar. There are some top-heavy fruit notes—maybe a little peach—but I’m surprised at how alcoholic the nose is. It’s a bit harsh, and underneath that is a lot of char. The mesquite smoke comes through more as ashtray or extinguished campfire than oakiness.
Brad: I was going to say it smells like a really nice campfire. Not the kind blowing smoke in your face, but the kind where you’re sitting on the other side thinking, 'Oh, man, this is nice.'
Bob: I’m just not used to this much smoke on American whiskey. It almost reminds me of a watered-down peaty Scotch. If their goal was maximum smokiness, they’ve succeeded, but it’s not my thing.
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Bob’s score: 6.5/10
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Brad’s score: 7.5/10
The Taste
Brad: Oh, man, Bob, that is so nice. It’s just eminently drinkable.
Bob: Interesting, yeah. For me, it’s vaguely sweet—like general corn sweetness—but it’s very thin. The low proof really shows in the mouthfeel. The taste is sweet on the tip of my tongue, then goes smoky, and back to sweet again when I swallow. But it’s not cohesive. It’s like drinking this whiskey while puffing on a cigar and swishing it all together. Sweet, smoky, sweet—but never at the same time.
Brad: Honestly, it feels like a mix between cream soda and ginger beer. It’s got that spiciness but is still sweet and palatable. I think the mesquite char adds a nice touch.
Bob: The aftertaste reminds me of Laphroaig—smoky, bitter, and drying. I’m not a fan.
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Bob’s score: 5/10
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Brad’s score: 7/10
The Finish
Bob: There’s more chest burn than I expected for an 86-proof whiskey. The flavors that linger aren’t very pleasant—more bitterness and dryness.
Brad: There’s a burst of warmth as it goes down. It’s not overpowering and has a medium-length finish. The smoky sweetness lingers nicely.
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Bob’s score: 5.5/10
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Brad’s score: 7.5/10
The Balance
Bob: This is where we look at the nose, taste, and finish as a cohesive experience. For me, this isn’t well-rounded. I’ll give credit that the same components—sweet and smoky—show up throughout. But it’s just sharp swings between extremes. Sweet-smoke-sweet-smoke, never marrying together well.
Brad: I like the sweet and smoky combo, but they’re not balanced. It’s very obvious when one ends, and the other begins.
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Bob’s score: 5.5/10
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Brad’s score: 6/10
The Value
At $34.99 in Ohio, Longbranch is priced slightly higher than we think it’s worth.
Brad: This feels like a $28 or $29 bottle that’s bumped up a few bucks for Matthew McConaughey’s name.
Bob: Agreed. The bottle design is fantastic—the wood topper with the turkey is aesthetically pleasing. If you want a cool bottle on your shelf, it’s worth considering. But in terms of the juice inside, it’s overpriced.
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Bob’s score: 6.5/10
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Brad’s score: 7/10
Final Scores
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Bob’s total: 29/50
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Brad’s total: 35/50
Conclusion
With a combined score of 32/50, Wild Turkey Longbranch lands in the "above average" range. While Brad would recommend trying it at a bar or even buying a bottle, Bob found it unremarkable and disjointed.
At this score, we’d suggest starting with a pour at your local bar to see if the unique sweet-smoky profile works for you. For reference, we consider anything above 35/50 a bottle-worthy purchase, while 40/50 or higher is great, and 45/50 is excellent.
